Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The Crit stage was awesome. The route was awesome. I designed it. I'm awesome. The turnout was not quite what it was at last weeks Cross race, but the caliber of rider was definitealy top notch. Nothing against everyone else, Streetcred accepts all shape and sizes, but given that we had to blow thru 3 stop signs on this course.... well, i was glad to see that everyone on the startline looked more than capable of handling themselves. It helped that Columbus Park is dead at 3pm on a Saturday.

After the race was over the big picture remained in question, who will win the 2011 edition of Streetcred? Several former champions are in the mix, but an eager crew of up and comers are chomping at the bit. Come out this Saturday to see who will be crowned the 2011 Streetcred champion!

(Jeff Bridges will not be attending, but i'm sure he takes his vitamins.)

(Note, the Columbus Park section of town is not illuminated with a cool blue in real life. But it would be a lot cooler if it was.)

(The route, .6 miles long. I think we did about 17 laps.)

(A warm welcome from a warm man.)

(Pre-lap, John looks waaay to happy.)

(Streetcred royalty in the house, Phillip and Shipwrek.)

(The race begins, and photographic evidence that i started dead last, otherwise i would have won by about 30 minutes. And the race only lasted 26. Bam! Note my special lady friend in Yellow... she won the women's race! Don't tell anybody she was the only female.)

(The Winner, Nate is a fast man and former Streetcred champion. Bow down.)

(The fellas check the results, i told you, John P is everywhere!)

(The Tour de France has the Yellow Jersey, we have the Blue T-shirt. The original leaders Jersey in the hands of the defending champion. This years winner will be in charge of keeping this baby safe, till 2012 rolls around.)

(Pot Pie in Westport generously opened up their doors for our after-party.)

(Andrew and Levon demonstrate their special bond. Streetcred magic in action.)

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

I've had a lot of fun on cross bikes. Jinglecross was at the top of the list, until now. The Streetcred cross course was a-ma-zing. It's almost like the designers of the West Bottoms knew it would turn into a barren wasteland that would be perfect for an urban cross race. That's foresight, people.

The race had it had it all.

By my count you had to dismount 5 times per lap, 4 once the makeshift barrier(ie shower shelf thingy) broke and was pushed aside. But even without the 'barrier' you were still kept on your toes by the 3 loading dock's and one huge snow bank that was impossible to ride. Since i'm like the Mikhail Baryshnikov of getting on and off my bike i liked this aspect of the race.

Then there was the fact that over half the course was sloppy, slushy, muddy, watery and awesome. It was like a belgina cross race you would see on Youtube. There had been a foot of snow sitting in KC for at least a week by this point, but by Saturday the temp's were in the 50's and everything was starting to melt. In a weird way, this was the most cross seeming cross race i've ever done. Around every turn was a technical section or a long sloppy stretch that really tested the handling skilz. It was sweet. Watching the helmet-less / brake-less / slick tire / track bike folks try to tackle these sections was impressive. Although i noticed several of 'em grabbing pit bikes that had knobby tires. Not that i blame them.

And then there was the huge turnout. It was huge! Way to go KC. There must of been twice as many folks as last week. And once again, the folks at PBR hooked it up big time. Beer and prizes. No wonder it's the blue ribbon winner.

How about a race recap:

I'm glad i skipped the pre lap otherwise i might have skipped the race all together because it quickly became apparent we were all going to be soaked to the bone. plus the lack of per riding meant i had no idea what was around the next corner so once the race started i just went into every sketchy section at full speed and got thru it due to the momentum. I started dead last b/c i was snapping pictures. After one lap my feet were soaked and my bare hands were freezing. After 2 laps i was in heaven. It was pure cross. After 3-4 laps i was leading the race! I had the lazer focus going. Every dismount and remount was like a fine wine, every technical section was sliced thru like warm butter, i was a fighter plane made out of biceps. Nobody could stop me.

I won!

Do i have a shot at the overall? Probably not, but who gives a sh*t. Streetcred lives!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

It just occurred to me, you can post what ever you want on these blogs. So that means i can post this Diana Ross song. Which i just heard... by accident... due to the fact that i thought the stereo was tuned to 96.5, when actually it was tuned to... well, i forget. I think it was 98.1. Anyway, this song is the bomb. If your not a fan of 70's early disco, or late funk, or, okay im not sure what to call it... But if your not a fan of this music... just wait till 2:46 and then go with it.

What!?! you still dont like it! Heres the live version, you square. "I DONT NEED NO CURE!!!"

Sunday, February 6, 2011

So the first stage of Streetcred has come and gone and id say it was a trememdous success.

Lots of great people came out. A big mix. Young and old, men and woman, former champions and noob's.

Apparently this is the 4th edition of Streetcred? It started around 2007? Maybe somebody out there can help me with the history? Anyway, I didn't know it had been going on that long. Fixed gear Phillip even brought the original leaders jersey!

Okay, stage 1 is in the books. Stage 2 is this Saturday and i better see you all there. I mean, how can you pass up an urban cross race in the West Bottoms!?!?

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Yesterday was the blizzard. Today is the aftermath. Actually, the city did a great job of clearing the roads. That's good. But it made my evening mountain bike ride a little boring. I really had to search to find the roads that had yet to be plowed, you see it's the unplowed roads that are the most fun to ride. You get in the tire track and try to stay there. Luckily i knew right were to go, the neighborhoods between 43rd and 39th, and State Line and Broadway never seem to get plowed.